Around the world in seconds with speed-dependent automatic zooming

Abstract

Speed-dependent automatic zooming (SDAZ) interfaces allow rapid navigation through large visual information spaces by automatically zooming out when the user moves quickly through the dataspace. We have implemented a variety of SDAZ interfaces that provide compelling mapbased demonstrations of the technique. In particular, our ‘globe browser’ demonstrates fluid and rapid navigation that fluidly integrates street-level details with continental views. Although other systems such as Keyhole Inc.’s EarthViewer3DPro (www.earthviewer.com) allow similar visual effects, they require the user to switch between distinct control modes to navigate the information space. Our modeless SDAZ interfaces are rapidly and naturally controlled simply by dragging the mouse.